SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 February 1932, Page 12

SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL

LIFE OF THRILLS. SPEED KING’S BIC'GRAPHY. In his preface to ‘‘Speed,” die biography of 'Sir Alaleolm Campbell, Mr. J. Wentworth Day, of the “Field,” says that when the transition from the horse age to the motor age is analysed in future history, Campbell’s name will stand with that of Stephenson.

“This is a bold statement to make of one motorist in a world which holds so many motorists,” he says, ‘‘Yet consider the achievements of this man. lie has thrown the inheritance of a brilliant brain, the creation of a lucrative business, tin* possession of a large fortune, and the risk of his own life completely and without hope of personal gain, into the building, designing, and driving of motor-cars which have set up more world’s land speed records than have ever stood to the credit of any one man before.

‘‘Malcolm Campbell at the present day is a national hero. And, unlike some heroes, lie is a national as-set — an ambassador not only of trade, of Imperial prestige, but of the spirit of manliness and adventure."

The hook tolls the story of Campbell’s life from the days when a youth called Malcolm Campbell was fined 30s in Bromlev police court for riding a bicycle at what the magistrate described as a totally unnecessary speed of 27 miles per hour. “We hope this will be a lesson to you not to travel so fast in future,” added the magistrate.

After Campbell had left Uppingham he went to Germany, where he took up bicycle track racing. Speed because almost an obsession. That was the beginning of bis career of speed.